Moda Provocateur
Fashion show helps AIDS foundation
Salons, designers come together to raise funds for nonprofit
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Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comA model from Style 7 poses with frame in hand at the end of the runway. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comHelium balloons added to the fullness of one skirt at Sunday's Moda Provocateur fashion show. The model released them as she walked down the runway. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comMakeup artist, Quinn Kestler paints a red ribbon, symbolic of the fight against HIV/AIDS, on Project Moda events coordinator, Lisa Gebbia. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comAdrianna Parra of Aveda touches up Maika Fauteuy's makeup before the start of the show. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comRachel Avonne performs during the pre-show dinner. She performed several covers including the show's namesake song, 'Stand By Me.' -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comMichael Bilharz (left) and Ethan Smith Cox (right), the director of development for SAAF, socialze at the pre-show dinner. They expected 'some sort of bombastic spectacle' from the evening's event. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comDancers from Breakout Studios rehearse backstage before the beginning of the show. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comBattina Balderas, a model for Style 7 Salon, sat though one last round of hairspray before the show began. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comModels representing Style 7 salon strut the runway. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comA model from Style 7 sports an oversized hat. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comThe runway lit up for a good cause at the Tucson Convention Center Sunday night. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comA model from Baci Lingerie. The first couple down the runway followed a 'newlywed' theme. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comTwo models from Baci Lingerie share a kiss at the end of the runway. The lingerie shop was a newcomer to this year's show. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comModels from Aveda line up at the end of the runway. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comSome of the more playful dress designs featured unusual materials. What appears to be filled multi-color condoms adorn this dress. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comA model finishes her walk down the runway at Sunday's Moda Provocateur. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comBreakout Studios also brought hip hop choreography to the runway at Sunday's show. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comA spectator sets her sights on the fashions strutting down the runway at Sunday's Moda Provocateur show. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comA model from the Aveda salon tips his hat before continuing down the runway. -
Mariana Dale/TucsonSentinel.comAveda's models ended the show with dramatic lighting and flashlights reminiscent of lightsabers.
The ninth annual Moda Provocateur fashion show drew a full house at the TCC's Grand Ballroom on Sunday night to raise money for the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation.
"I think it is great dynamic show. Everyone is volunteering their time; people just want to do it," said Ali Edwards, a fourth-year model for Style 7 salon.
The show featured designs from salons that included Avalon for Hair, Skin and Nails, Ahead of Style, Aveda Institute for Tucson, Mia Bella Salon & Spa, Mauricio Fregoso Salon and Style 7.
The Cele Peterson award, named for the local fashion icon, was presented to Paula Taylor and Erin Burke for their fashion contributions to the Tucson community. The designers were previous owners of Pour Moi boutique.
"I have learned that fashion and charity go hand in hand, and I feel it is very important to continue that tradition, this is something I look forward to being a part of in Tucson for years to come," Burke told the audience.
During intermission, the audience voted on the designer finalists for Project Moda. Best in show was awarded to Victoria Villela and Melanie Lockwood for their design for a green dress with gold embroidery.
Mimi Petro, a SAAF board member and partner at Udall Law Firm, was presented with an award to honor the law firm's commitment to the AIDS charity over the years.
"We have a commitment to Southern Arizona and to the people here at SAAF, and we recognize what SAAF does as well for us," Petro said.
"With this being my first time coming to the show I think it is fabulous. I am thrilled Moda and SAAF are working together to put on this wonderful show, I will definitely come back," said audience member Kristen Birner.
Organizers said they wouldn't know how much the show raised until later in the week.
For more information about SAAF and to make a donation visit www.saaf.org.
